Please note that I have 6 "Hiram L. Piper Railway signal lanterns" of the 4 lens type and 2 lens type, 18 inches tall, with round fresnal lenses that are made by Corning Glass Co., and these lenses are 5 and 3/8 in. diameter. The Hiram L. Piper Company patented these lanterns in 1909, and they were made in Montreal, Quebec, Canada for CN Railways and CP Railways. They are in good condition, with the lenses all intact, but the lanterns do show wear and a bit of rust on some of them.

My question is this: Is it o.k. to strip and repaint my lanterns or should I leave them in their original condition? They can be electrified without damaging them, which is what I intend to do eventually, but I don't want to reduce their value if restoration attempts (to strip and paint) diminish their value. Please, please, please let me know if I should leave them alone, or go ahead and make them look new again, by sending me an email at: lornejordan@hotmail.com. Many thanks!